Powell's plans for new park, more depend on vote

A variety of capital-improvements projects will be completed around the city of Powell if voters approve a levy set to appear on the Nov. 6 ballot.

The proposal is effectively a renewal of the city's existing parks levy, which expires next year. If passed, it wouldn't raise taxes.

The 10-year, 1.8-mill levy would generate about $7.2 million over its duration and continue to cost taxpayers about $55.13 for each $100,000 in home property value.

City Council has identified specific capital improvements projects to be completed if the measure is approved. They include:

* Completion of the Murphy Parkway connection to Liberty Road. The project would complete the city's bypass system, which aims to provide an alternate east-west route in all four quadrants of the city to alleviate traffic congestion near downtown Powell.

* About $1 million in additional road and sewer repairs over the next decade. The city would identify which roads are most in need of repairs during its annual citywide evaluations.

* Creation of Seldom Seen Park, just north of Seldom Seen Road and west of the railroad tracks. It would be the city's first new park in seven years and likely would cater toward youth athletics, with baseball diamonds, soccer and football fields, a playground, picnic space and a new headquarters for the city's public service department.

* Bike-path extensions and connections. Likely extensions include trails along Home Road west of Sawmill Parkway; along Rutherford Road west of Sawmill Parkway; along Seldom Seen Road west of Sawmill Parkway; east of Sawmill Parkway at the railroad tracks; and connections along North Liberty Street south of Seldom Seen Road.

* Reconstruction of the worn-out basketball-court surface at Adventure Park with a surface that would accommodate other activities such as volleyball.

All seven members of City Council back the measure, including Councilwoman Sara Marie Brenner, who led an opposition group to defeat an income-tax increase for capital improvements that was on the ballot in 2010. It was soundly rejected by voters.

Brenner said she doesn't oppose this levy proposal because it is temporary, targeted and won't raise taxes.